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William Hopper

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William Hopper

William DeWolf Hopper Jr. (January 26, 1915 – March 6, 1970) was an American stage, film, and television actor. The only child of actor DeWolf Hopper and actress and Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, he appeared in more than 80 feature films in the 1930s and 1940s. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he left acting, but was persuaded by director William Wellman in the 1950s to resume his film career. He’s perhaps best known for his portrayal of private detective Paul Drake in the CBS television series Perry Mason.

Infobox

Born
William DeWolf Hopper Jr.(1915-01-26)January 26, 1915New York City, U.S.
Died
March 6, 1970(1970-03-06) (aged 55)Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Resting place
Rose Hills Memorial Park
Occupation
Actor
Years active
1916; 1934–1970
Spouses
mw- Jane Gilbert (m. 1940, divorced) Jan Hopper
Children
1
Parents
DeWolf Hopper Hedda Hopper

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1916
Role(s)
Baby
Notes
Credited as William DeWolf Hopper Jr.
1936
Role(s)
Soldier
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Photographer
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Ship's Officer
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Monitor room man
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Uncredited
1937
Role(s)
Announcer
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Marine
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Dirigible Pilot
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Tony Burke
Notes
Male lead, opposite Jane Wyman
Role(s)
Second production manager
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Jack Pierson
Role(s)
Pete Edington
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Eddie Gould
Role(s)
Ken Thomas
Notes
Male lead, opposite June Travis
Role(s)
Matt
1938
Role(s)
Neeley bus driver
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Yale tennis player
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Lal Killian
Role(s)
Grabshot
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Larraby
Notes
Offscreen credit
1939
Role(s)
Cavalry Sergeant
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Flammarions' Party Guest
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Striped-shirted man at beach
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Handsome Sam
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
John
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Photographer
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Student
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Ronald – Peggy's Escort
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Joe
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Soldier Getting Radio Report from H4
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Intern
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Intern
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Young Man
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
1940
Role(s)
Private Turner
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Hotel clerk
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Lieutenant
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Man
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
George
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Lefty
Notes
Credited as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Station operator
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Joe Barton
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
J.L. Burns, Bank Depositor
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
First-Nighter
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Man at campaign meeting carrying Michael
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Lyceum Theater Attendant
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Officer
Notes
Scenes deleted; offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
1941
Role(s)
Second mate
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Travin
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Police secretary
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Best Man
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Jones
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Desk clerk
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Airline attendant
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Keenan's pilot
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Richard Palmer
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Highway West
Role(s)
Frank Carson – Murdered Cashier
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Power company telephone operator
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Pilot
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Radio operator
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Watson
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Ensign Walters
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Billiard Player
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Lt. Frazier
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Terrence Abbott
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Clerk
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
1942
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
John
Notes
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Murder in the Big House
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Customer
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Atlanta Postal Clerk
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Reporter
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Ensign
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Sailor
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Orderly
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Aircraftsman
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Soldier
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
University of Texas classmate
Notes
Short film, uncredited
Role(s)
Undetermined Role
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
1943
Role(s)
Hotel Desk Clerk
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Orderly
Notes
Credited as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
Sergeant
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Trucker
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
Canadian soldier
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Role(s)
First sentry
Notes
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
1944
Role(s)
Swank
Notes
Offscreen credit
1954
Role(s)
Roy
Notes
Offscreen credit as William DeWolf Hopper
Role(s)
Charles Wentworth
Notes
Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper
Role(s)
District Attorney
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Arthur Bridges
Notes
Offscreen credit
1955
Role(s)
Dr. George Fenton
Role(s)
Robert Bell
Notes
Offscreen credit
Role(s)
Mac McBain
Role(s)
Judy's father
1956
Role(s)
Walden Grover
Role(s)
William B. Travis
Role(s)
Col. Kenneth Penmark
1957
Role(s)
Dr. Nedrick (Ned) Jackson
Role(s)
Col. Bob Calder
Role(s)
Joe Brewster
1970
Role(s)
Judge Frederic D. Cannon
Notes
UncreditedReleased posthumously
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1916
Sunshine Dad
Baby
Credited as William DeWolf Hopper Jr.
1936
The King Steps Out
Soldier
Offscreen credit
Murder with Pictures
Photographer
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
The Big Broadcast of 1937
Ship's Officer
Uncredited
Easy to Take
Monitor room man
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
The Accusing Finger
Reporter
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Beware of Ladies
Reporter
Uncredited
1937
Larceny on the Air
Announcer
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Join the Marines
Marine
Uncredited
Dick Tracy
Dirigible Pilot
Uncredited
Public Wedding
Tony Burke
Male lead, opposite Jane Wyman
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air
Second production manager
Uncredited
The Footloose Heiress
Jack Pierson
Back in Circulation
Pete Edington
Offscreen credit
Love Is on the Air
Eddie Gould
Over the Goal
Ken Thomas
Male lead, opposite June Travis
The Adventurous Blonde
Matt
1938
Daredevil Drivers
Neeley bus driver
Offscreen credit
Love, Honor and Behave
Yale tennis player
Offscreen credit
Mystery House
Lal Killian
The Patient in Room 18
Grabshot
Offscreen credit
Women Are Like That
Larraby
Offscreen credit
1939
Stagecoach
Cavalry Sergeant
Offscreen credit
Midnight
Flammarions' Party Guest
Uncredited
Daughters Courageous
Striped-shirted man at beach
Offscreen credit
The Cowboy Quarterback
Handsome Sam
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
The Old Maid
John
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
The Angels Wash Their Faces
Photographer
Uncredited
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase
Reporter
Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper
Dust Be My Destiny
Reporter
Uncredited
Espionage Agent
Student
Offscreen credit
On Your Toes
Ronald – Peggy's Escort
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Pride of the Blue Grass
Joe
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
On Dress Parade
Soldier Getting Radio Report from H4
Uncredited
The Return of Doctor X
Intern
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
A Child Is Born
Intern
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Invisible Stripes
Young Man
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
1940
The Fighting 69th
Private Turner
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Calling Philo Vance
Hotel clerk
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Castle on the Hudson
Reporter
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Virginia City
Lieutenant
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
'Til We Meet Again
Man
Uncredited
Tear Gas Squad
George
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Flight Angels
Lefty
Credited as DeWolfe Hopper
Brother Orchid
Reporter
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Gambling on the High Seas
Station operator
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
The Man Who Talked Too Much
Reporter
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
Ladies Must Live
Joe Barton
Credited as DeWolf Hopper
Money and the Woman
Burns, Bank Depositor
Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper
· Filmography › Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1954
Mayor of the Town
Girard
"Minnie's Job"
1955
Lux Video Theatre
Brad Scott
"No Sad Songs for Me"
Ford Theatre
Joe Cramer
"The Mumbys"
Lux Video Theatre
Host
"Perilous Deception"
Warner Brothers Presents … Casablanca
Wilson Randall
"Labor Camp Escape"
1956
Fury
Sam Wilson
"The Hobo" (credited as Bill Hopper)
The 20th Century Fox Hour
Phil Harland
"One Life"
Gunsmoke
John Henry Jordan
"Robin Hood"
Lux Video Theatre
Jim Johanson
"The Star"
Celebrity Playhouse
"Stagecoach to Paradise"
The Millionaire
Capt. Jonathan Carroll
"Captain Jonathan Carroll"
Gunsmoke
Tasker Sloane
"Unmarked Grave"
Lux Video Theatre
George
"The Top Rung"
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre
Rick Gordon
"Ten Percent"
Matinee Theater
"Madame de Treymes"
Studio 57
Smith
"The Magic Glass"
1957
Studio 57
Kip
"Mr. November"
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Dan Mailer
"The Restless Gun" (pilot for TV series)
The Joseph Cotten Show
Arnold Bait
"The Case of the Jealous Bomber"
1957–1966
Perry Mason
Paul Drake
271 episodes

References

  1. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/07/archives/william-hopper-actor-dies-detective-in-perry-mason-54.html
  2. Ancestry.com. California, Death Index 1940–1997 [database on-line]. Provo, Utah, U.S.: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 200
  3. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/59845761/
  4. AFI Catalog of Feature Films
    https://catalog.afi.com/Search?searchField=Name_AltName_CharName&searchText=william+hopper&sortType=sortByRelevance
  5. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1966/02/02/archives/hedda-hopper-columnist-dies-chronicled-gossip-of-hollywood.html
  6. The Milwaukee Sentinel
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19360408&id=fkxQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3138,1557305&hl=en
  7. Chicago Tribune
    http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1960/01/10/page/198/article/meet-heddas
  8. The Perry Mason TV show book : the complete story of America's favorite television lawyer
    http://archive.org/details/perrymasontvshow00kell
  9. "Romeo and Juliet"
    http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=10436
  10. "Order Please"
    http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=10689
  11. The Milwaukee Sentinel
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19360311&id=YRQxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6863,1855673&hl=en
  12. The Daily Review (UPI)
  13. Delta Democrat-Times
  14. Oakland Tribune
  15. Oakland Tribune (Associated Press)
  16. AFI Catalog of Feature Films
    http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=51229
  17. "Lux Video Theatre, Season 5"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/LuxVideoTheatre_05_%281954-55%29.htm
  18. "Robin Hood", season 1 episode 17 (S01E17) of Gunsmoke, originally broadcast February 4, 1956. Full video of "Robin Hood
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJ5a_jNUMc
  19. DVD Talk
    http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/32898/perry-mason-50th-anniversary-edition/
  20. Classic Images
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150726153835/http://www.classicimages.com/films_of_the_golden_ages/article_39f84018-cfc0-11e3-b0b4-001a4bcf887a.html
  21. Myra Breckinridge, cast and crew credits, production details, and release dates; catalog of the American Film Institute
    http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=23045
  22. Emmys
    http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominations/award-search
  23. The Miami News
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19700306&id=aJ0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=2232,4130424
  24. AFI Catalog of Feature Films
    http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=5098
  25. "U.S. Navy Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor"
    https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApps?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=670858
  26. Ancestry.com. California Birth Index, 1905–1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2005. Re
  27. Modern Screen
    https://archive.org/stream/modernscreen3435unse#page/n947/mode/1up
  28. "Life With Mother," TV Guide, September 1, 1962.
  29. Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary
    https://www.rosehills.com/obituaries/whittier-ca/william-hopper-8283595
  30. Internet Movie Database
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394438/
  31. Redlands Daily Facts
  32. BFI Film & TV Database
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160614015702/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1679a3e
  33. "Mayor of the Town"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Drama/MayorOfTheTown.htm
  34. "Ford Theatre"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/FordTheatre_06_%281954-55%29.htm
  35. "Warner Brothers Presents"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/WarnerBrothersPresents.htm
  36. "Fury, Season 1"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Fury_01_%281955-56%29.htm
  37. "The 20th Century-Fox Hour, Season 1"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/20thCenturyFoxHour_01_%281955-56%29.htm
  38. "Gunsmoke, Season 1"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Gunsmoke_01_%281955-56%29.htm
  39. "Lux Video Theatre, Season 6"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/LuxVideoTheatre_06_%281955-56%29.htm
  40. "Celebrity Playhouse"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/CelebrityPlayhouse.htm
  41. "The Millionaire, Season 2"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Drama/Millionaire_02_%281955-56%29.htm
  42. "Lux Video Theatre, Season 7"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/LuxVideoTheatre_07_%281956-57%29.htm
  43. "Jane Wyman Theater"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/FiresideTheatre_09_%281956-57%29.htm
  44. "Matinee Theater"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/MatineeTheater_02_%281956-57%29.htm
  45. "Studio 57, Season 2"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/Studio57_02_%281955-56%29.htm
  46. "Studio 57, Season 4"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/Studio57_04_%281957-58%29.htm
  47. "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/SchlitzPlayhouseOfStars_06_%281956-57%29.htm
  48. "On Trial: The Joseph Cotten Show"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/OnTrial.htm
  49. "Perry Mason"
    http://ctva.biz/US/Legal/PerryMason_1957-66.htm
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